Naltrexone is a drug approved at 50mg for use in the treatment of alcohol and opioid addictions. However, in lower doses (0.5-5mg) Low Dose Naltrexone works completely differently on the immune system by decreasing inflammation. LDN does this by increasing the body’s release of endorphins. Endorphins help to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve a person’s sense of well-being.
LDN Treatments: In clinical trials, LDN has been demonstrated to be effective in treating painful autoimmune conditions like:
–Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
–Hashimoto’s and Grave’s disease
-IBS, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Lupus
-Psoriasis
How Does LDN Help autoimmune diseases? At the root of autoimmune disease is immune dysregulation and inflammation and LDN balances the immune system and reduces inflammation.
Unfortunately, many clinicians do not know about LDN. They are not commercially available in a regular pharmacy and must be compounded by a specialty pharmacy.
LDN is well-tolerated and doesn’t have any significant side effects, except that a few patients report having strange or vivid dreams. However, these normally resolve within a few days. To minimize this side effect, LDN can be started at an extremely low dose of 0.5-1mg, and the dose gradually increased every 1-2 weeks or even more slowly depending on individual response. All narcotics are contraindicated( should not be taken) with LDN. The autoimmune clinical benefits of LDN seem to work best at 4.5mg, taken daily at bedtime.
At Towne Lake Family Pharmacy, we compound LDN in capsules using fillers like organic ginger powder in place of microcrystalline cellulose, for maximum anti-inflammatory benefit. We can compound LDN into palatable liquid dosage forms for those who have trouble swallowing capsules and for those with intestinal malabsorption.
Call us at 770-635-7697 and speak to one of our experienced compounding experts who can answer questions about alternative treatment options for autoimmune diseases including how LDN can help reduce the symptoms of inflammation.
References:
1. Sudakin D. Naltrexone: Not just for opioids Anymore J.Med.Toxicol.2016;12:71-75. doi: 10.1007/s13181-015-0512-x
2. Bihari B. Low-dose Naltrexone for normalizing immune system function. Altern. Ther. Health Med. 2013;19:56-65.
3. YoungerJ., Parkitny L., Mclain D. The use of low-dose Naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain. Clin. Rheumatol. 2014;33:451-459.doi: 10.1007/s10067-014-2517-2